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HomeToys & HobbiesActivities & AmusementsHeater Heavy-Duty Real Baseball Pitching Machine with Bonus Auto-Ball Feeder |
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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
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1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Nothing is Neater than the Heater! Mar 14, 2009
Okay, cheesy headline...but I wanted to combat the "Not so Hot" one...
I purchased the Heater Combo Pitching Machine and an Xtender 30ft Batting Cage from Hookem Sports. I could not be happier! I was looking to put in a batting cage in our backyard for my daughters (4,8,9) to grow up with as they advanced through the levels of fast pitch softball. I chose the Combo so we could start with 11" softballs and move up to 12" as the girls got bigger.
The cage was a little tricky to set up by myself...I'm sure it would have been A LOT easier if I had an extra set of hands to help when installing the netting. But, nonetheless, I was able to get it done by myself, which is saying something as to the ease of setup!
The machine was very easy to get set up, and pitches unbelievably accurately! The whole package is perfect to help build their confidence and to improve their hitting ability. My 9 year old can't stay out of it! They all love it. It will even pitch wiffle balls to my 4 year old!
The machine is basic to use, and feels very safe. Speed adjustment is easy, and it's plenty fast! The speed dial goes to 10...at the 30 ft distance, around level 5 is perfect for my 9 year old. Level 4 is good for the 8 yr old. I fired a few balls through at levels 8,9, and 10...and I think I would have had a tough time hitting the higher levels at that distance. I know this machine and cage will really benefit the girls as they get older, making them quicker and quicker with their bat.
I only hope the machine and cage will last. But even if I have to replace one or both of them after a few years...it's still a bargain compared to what other backyard batting cage setups cost.
Curtis from Hookem Sports was very helpful. He answered several email questions from me quickly and accurately. Plus I feel he gave me a great price that included free shipping (available from most retailers on the Heater), but also a couple dozen Heater dimple balls that really do pitch amazingly straight!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Lightweight, accurate and fun Jun 21, 2005
We bought the heater combo and couldn't be happier. It throws very accurate at various speeds. My 5 year daughter likes to swing using the lowest settings, and my 12 year old daughter uses it to practice swinging at 40 to 50mph 12 inch softballs. It is great for adults as well. Get the ball feeder, but make sure you purchase the correct size dimple balls. Some oversized 12inch balls sold on ebay will not work. Go with brand name dimple balls and you won't be disappointed.
One of the screws did not initially tighten easily on one of the legs (same issue as described by another rater), but I did not find this to be a big issue. We use the heater almost every day and the legs go in and out easily.
I did purchase a 2300W pramac honda generator to run the heater pitching machine, and have no issues with power shutdown issues. I am told it will run on much less wattage.
Update: The promac is loud, so I have since purchased a 700W power inverter, a spare car battery and a car battery charger. It is a nice, quiet and cheap alternative to purchasing a generator - spend less than $100 for the battery, inverter and charger combined.
1 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 The Heat Not So Hot Mar 21, 2005
Our "Heat" softball pitching machine "stripped" a layer of the softball off and jammed the machine. It eventually threw it out the front of the machine. Also the nut that holds the screw to tighten the leg just fell off. The welding was not well done at all. We rate it a 2 because once it was unjammed and up to speed, it did pitch the ball, but again it stripped the ball and jammed.
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